Crisp Shortbread

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325F.
2. 2
   In a bowl with a fork blend together butter and confectioners' sugar until combined well.
3. 3
   Sift flour into butter mixture, tossing flours together lightly before combining with butter mixture and stir with fork until flours are incorporated.
4. 4
   (Dough will be crumbly.)
5. 5
   Press dough evenly onto bottom of a 9-inch metal pie plate.
6. 6
   With tines of fork decoratively mark edge of dough and with a butter knife score dough into 8 wedges.
7. 7
   Prick each wedge in several places with fork.
8. 8
   Bake shortbread in middle of oven 30 minutes.
9. 9
   Reduce temperature to 300F and continue to bake shortbread 15 minutes more, or until golden.
10. 10
    Cool shortbread in pie plate on a rack 5 minutes.
11. 11
    With a sharp knife cut shortbread into wedges and transfer wedges to rack to cool completely.
12. 12
    Shortbread keeps in an airtight container at room temperature 5 days.